The Story

Pictured is Roman, a Marine currently stationed in Hawaii, the first time he got to meet and spend time with his daughter.

In the early hours of December 10th, Roman was in a severe accident which resulted in massive head trauma, multiple fractures of his skull, and multiple fractures of his thoracic spine. It is not known at present what his long-term prognosis will be.

Roman's family lives in Alabama, and his mother Joy flew out immediately to be with him during this time. As they are a single-income family due to medical reasons and have a developmentally disabled daughter, Roman's dad Michael stayed behind to care for her and work.

Joy's stay is open-ended. The Red Cross will be offering them some assistance, but it will not be comprehensive. The cost of living in Honolulu is high and they badly need further funds in order for her to be with their son at this time.

They will also need financial consideration should things take a turn for the worse and Michael needs to join her soon. We are thankful for any contributions you can make to assist them with this.

Fundraiser Updates

Posted on December 21, 2016

Posted on December 21, 2016

Sunday afternoon and night were difficult, according to Michael. Roman's nurses had to work hard to keep his numbers where they need to be: "It was a roller coaster."

Sunday night Roman received some paralytic meds for his shivering and intracranial pressure. "It's just crazy," Michael texted me yesterday, "the doctor comes in and says everything looks encouraging and then it goes downhill."

Today brought a chest x-ray that still looks bad, and Roman is still not responding to the pneumonia meds the way he needs to. His team is going to increase his sedation again; they're also changing his vent settings to make him rest because they're having a difficult time with his oxygen and carbon dioxide levels as well as his pressures.

After the doctor's rounds today there was a CT done, but there is not report on that as yet. Roman's sodium is higher, his platelets are lower, and he's still very sensitive to much of any stimulation: This is not ideal because his blood pressure elevates, which elevates the pressure in his head and taxes his organs. Sedation should help that.

Thank you for your continued inquiries as to his condition, and thank you for rooting for Michael, Joy, and Roman. Please continue sharing this link.

Posted on December 21, 2016

Posted on December 21, 2016

Sunday afternoon and night were difficult, according to Michael. Roman's nurses had to work hard to keep his numbers where they need to be: "It was a roller coaster."

Sunday night Roman received some paralytic meds for his shivering and intracranial pressure. "It's just crazy," Michael texted me yesterday, "the doctor comes in and says everything looks encouraging and then it goes downhill.

Today brought a chest x-ray that still looks bad, and Roman is still not responding to the pneumonia meds the way he needs to. His team is going to increase his sedation again; they're also changing his vent settings to make him rest because they're having a difficult time with his oxygen and carbon dioxide levels as well as his pressures.

After the doctor's rounds today there was a CT done, but there is not report on that as yet. Roman's sodium is higher, his platelets are lower, and he's still very sensitive to much of any stimulation: This is not ideal because his blood pressure elevates, which elevates the pressure in his head and taxes his organs. Sedation should help that.

Thank you for your continued inquiries as to his condition, and thank you for rooting for Michael, Joy, and Roman. Please continue sharing this link.

Posted on December 15, 2016

Posted on December 15, 2016

Updates on Roman have been specifically through Michael, his dad. Joy relays what the team of docs are telling her, then Michael broadcasts it to a group of friends and family. This allows her to be very present where she is at and stay reasonably calm and together. Good plan.

I have limited my communication with Joy to how SHE is feeling and coping, letting her guide the conversation. She has poured out her heart to me over the last two days, and I am broken for her.

Yesterday afternoon's update from Michael:

"Difficult update this morning from the doctor rounding. They had some trouble with Roman's kidneys overnight. The meds make the kidneys have to work a lot harder, so they're having to stop a couple of them to try and salvage kidney function while still trying to protect his brain. It's a delicate balance. Doctor said we're definitely not out of the woods yet. He has used the amount of the sedative (for sleeping) and mannitol (for his intracranial pressure) he's allowed to have for the time being, and he'll have to use what's in his system. They're still able to do some things for his pressure, just not as much. He also has an ileus, which basically means his intestines aren't moving things the way they need to. Keep your thoughts and prayers directed toward the hospital. I'll keep updates headed out as I get them."

And the update that came in today:

"Another tough morning. Roman had to have an emergency procedure to clear his lung. They have done this, but he had pneumonia this time. His pressures rose significantly overnight but have begun to come back down. They're trying to get him back to stable now, and are working very hard to do so."

Joy had this to say yesterday:

"Thank you so much for the financial help. Michael and been hiding our financial state from most everyone, but things have been bleak due to my medical issues. The fundraisers you are putting on are lifesavers in that now I can stay by my son's side. Now I know I can eat, too."

It broke my heart all over again to read that last sentence. That woman was going to sit there by her comatose son's side and not eat for lack of funds. Now she can, because so many of you have helped. I'm so thankful that you have.